Dozens of passengers allowed off the Diamond Princess cruise ship after it was hit by an outbreak of coronavirus have developed symptoms, Japan has revealed.
Officials said they contacted 813 former passengers of the vessel who had previously tested negative for the virus, and found 45 are now showing symptoms.
All of those with symptoms have been asked to contact doctors and take new tests to check whether they are also infected.
Japan has faced mounting criticism of its handling of the Diamond Princess ship after a failed effort to quarantine passengers on board after one tested positive led to almost 700 infections and four deaths.
Japan said it had contacted 813 former passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were allowed off after testing negative for coronavirus, and found 45 showing symptoms
970 passengers who had been held on board the Princess for almost two weeks amid an outbreak were allowed off after testing negative, but some have now tested positive
Foreign governments eventually decided to repatriate their citizens on special evacuation flights after it became clear the virus was spreading freely on board.
In total, 970 people were allowed off the boat last week after testing negative for the virus, but several have subsequently been diagnosed with the illness.
Japanese citizens allowed off the ship after a 14-day quarantine were asked to stay inside, but no formal measures restricting their movement were imposed.
Opposition lawmakers have blamed the government for failing to implement a fresh 14-day quarantine after the passengers left the cruise ship – as was required by countries that repatriated citizens from the boat.
Infections have also continued to rise inside Japan, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday said hosting large events should be reconsidered.
‘In light of the significant infection risks, we will ask that national sporting or cultural events that will attract large crowds be either cancelled, postponed or downsized for the next two weeks,’ Abe told a cabinet task force meeting on the outbreak.
Efforts to quarantine people on board the Princess failed spectacularly, leading to almost 700 infections and four deaths before passengers were evacuated (file)
Japan has faced mounting criticism over its handling of coronavirus, with those allowed off the ship not forcibly quarantined unlike foreign evacuees
However, authorities said there were no plans to cancel the Olympics which are due to take place in Japan this summer.
After the announcement, Nippon Professional Baseball Organization said its unofficial spring games through March 15 would be held in empty stadiums, before the official season opens on March 20.
Some top Japanese musicians, including all-male group Exile and female trio Perfume cancelled concerts, while Tokyo Girls Collection fashion show on Saturday will be held with no audience, according to their organisers.
The virus has also forced professional football, rugby, golf, tennis and other sports to reschedule games or to hold their events with no fans in attendance.
The government has also asked state-operated museums and theatres to consider closing or cancelling shows.
Coronavirus has now sickened more than 80,000 people worldwide and killed more than 2,700 – with almost 700 cases linked directly to the Diamond Princess
The government has repeatedly said that the coming weeks will be critical in limiting the spread of the virus in Japan.
But its measures have been largely advisory, including recommending that people work from home or commute off-peak.
The recommendations come as the local government in northern Hokkaido announced in its latest update on the virus the death of a local resident, whose name, gender and age were not revealed.
The governor of Hokkaido, where at least 38 people have been diagnosed, said he was requesting local municipalities to close public schools for one week from Thursday.
In Tokyo meanwhile, the regional education board said public high schools may start classes late to spare students travelling on packed commuter trains.
Japan has seen at least 165 infections separate from the outbreak on the cruise ship.